Many have a preconceived idea that either women or men are worse drivers. Some jokes and videos circulate the internet, making fun of women struggling to park a vehicle or men driving recklessly.
Driving is a daily part of our lives and should be taken seriously because people are injured in millions of car accidents that occur in the US every year.
Knowing which gender is involved in more car accidents and the causes could be beneficial.
Our personal injury lawyers at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC are experienced in handling all car accident cases. Our attorneys are dedicated to protecting the legal rights of victims of car crashes caused by negligence.
Call our Chicago car accident attorneys at (888) 424-5757 to schedule a free consultation. We look forward to speaking with you and providing guidance for your case.
Who Gets Into More Car Accidents?
Statistics show that males get into more car accidents than women every year.
Men cause about 6.1 million accidents per year, and women cause 4.4 million accidents per year, according to the National Highway Safety Administration.
According to the University of Michigan’s Transportation Research Institute, 105.7 million women have driver’s licenses, and 104.3 million men have them.
Although females have more driver’s licenses, licensed male drivers travel more miles than women.
According to Kelley Blue Book, women drive significantly fewer miles than men, driving about 6,000 more miles yearly. Women drive 10,412 miles per year, while males drive about 16,550.
Men Tend to Have More Car Accidents
Males are more likely to be involved in accidents due to driving more miles.
They are also more likely to engage in risky driving behavior, including driving under the influence, not wearing seat belts, and speeding.
Examining the differences between males and females and who gets into more car accidents shows us which genders engage in reckless driving habits.
The data that supports men causing more car accidents than women indicates that there are contributing factors we must look at more closely.
Driving While Under The Influence
Driving under alcohol is incredibly dangerous and contributes to severe crashes and driver deaths. Those involved in these unfortunate incidents can become severely injured or even die.
Both women and men drive while under the influence, but men are more likely to engage in this dangerous activity.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, in 2019, approximately 81% of people arrested for drunk driving were men.
For decades men have consistently been the ones who cause more car accidents due to drinking and driving.
More recently, there has been a rise in women driving under the influence, but this vast disparity between the genders shows that women are more careful to avoid driving while impaired.
Are Men Or Women More Likely To Drive While Drowsy?
According to a AAA study, those who do not sleep well at night increase their chances of getting into a vehicle accident.
People who have slept less than four hours are about 11.5 times more likely to be involved in an accident.
Data from this study and others show that driving while sleepy can be even more dangerous than driving drunk. Male drivers are more likely to drive while drowsy than females.
A National Highway Transportation Safety Administration survey reviews data that shows males are nearly twice as likely to report falling asleep while driving than females.
Drowsy driving can be very reckless, as driving outside your lane or rear-ending another vehicle is easy because of the slower reaction time involved.
Do More Car Accidents Involve Speeding Male Drivers Or Female Drivers?
Statistics show that males are more likely to drive over the speed limit than female drivers.
Age also plays a factor in that younger drivers are more likely than older people to speed.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2019, of those involved in fatal car accidents, 31% were male drivers between 15-20 years of age.
Females of the same age group accounted for 17% of those involved in these deadly accidents. Both men and women tend to speed less the older they age.
Speeding is one of our country’s top contributing factors to vehicle accidents. A 2020 National Safety Council report shows that speeding contributes to 29% of fatal vehicle accidents.
Driving over the speed limit can be dangerous because when speeding is coupled with other factors, such as wet roads or intoxication, the consequences can be deadly.
Following the speed limits ensures you do not lose control and have enough time to brake if necessary.
Do More Car Accidents with Injuries Involve Men Or Women?
Women appear to be safer drivers but are at a higher risk of getting hurt if involved in a car accident.
According to a report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, women are more likely to get hurt in a car crash.
One reason could be that men typically drive heavier vehicles than women.
A study published by BMJ in Injury Prevention finds that driven trucks and buses make up the most significant number of accident deaths per mile.
For many years, males have been the ones who are more likely to be involved in fatal accidents.
The disparity between men and women drivers who die in accidents has only narrowed recently.
Statistics of Injuries And Death In Car Accidents
Our car accident lawyers have reviewed statistics showing overwhelmingly that men are at a higher risk of getting injured.
Females are more likely to be injured in an accident, but males are involved in more car accidents involving death.
- In 2018, 36,560 people died in vehicle accidents in the US.
- The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reports that in 2018, 71% of deaths from vehicle accidents were males.
- In 2020, 72% of pedestrian deaths were male.
- In 2020, 76% of passenger vehicle occupant deaths were drivers, and 72% of those driving were male.
- About 9 in 10 motorcyclist deaths in the US are males.
- According to a study by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, women are 73% more likely to be injured in a car crash than men.
- Although there are more male crash deaths, women are more likely to be injured in a vehicle accident that is similar in impact.
More Car Accident Safety Tests Have Excluded Women In The Past
One reason women continue to be more severely injured in accidents may be because, for a long time, crash tests did not test for the possible injuries a woman could sustain.
Data from the Fatality Analysis Reporting System reveals that, among the adult population, 17% more car accidents involve female driver fatalities than male deaths.
These crash tests determine how safe a vehicle will be to the consumer.
Crash tests use dummies designed to represent an average male driver at 171 lbs and 5 ft 9 inches tall.
A female test dummy began to be used in more car accident safety tests, but it only represented 5% of women weighing 108 lbs and mainly used as a passenger.
Ways That Men And Women Drivers Can Stay Safe
Driving is an activity that requires the full attention of the driver and sound decision-making. There is no room for reckless driving habits like the ones mentioned above.
Men drive recklessly, which can result in serious injuries or death. You can actively make some decisions to ensure your drive more safely.
We can prevent more car accidents by taking safety precautions and becoming more aware of the factors contributing to these incidents.
Planning Ahead Of Drinking Alcohol
When you go out, or before you drink alcohol somewhere, you should consider how you get home afterward. Remembering to have a designated driver or plans to order a ride back home is essential.
Driving while under the influence can put your life and the life of others in danger.
Getting behind the wheel after drinking could result in getting arrested, suspending your license, serving jail time, being assigned community service, and paying fines.
Making the conscious decision to have someone else drive you before you begin to drink is the safest decision for you, your passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians.
Statistically, men get more car accident DUIs and traffic violations, representing a higher percentage of crashes.
Getting Enough Sleep
Everyone knows that getting enough sleep is good for your overall health, but this is also an essential habit for driving safely.
According to the Sleep Foundation, adults should get between 7 to 9 hours of sleep.
You can also visit a doctor to receive treatment for any sleep disorder you may have.
Tackling these disorders can allow you to sleep better at night and be more attentive when driving.
In cases where you do not get enough sleep and must drive, it is more beneficial to stop somewhere to sleep if you start to notice you are falling asleep.
It is not worth the risk to continue trying to drive when you are drowsy.
Avoid Distractions In The Vehicle
A contributing factor to vehicle accidents that can also commonly be seen is inattention or distractions in the vehicle.
In one study conducted by the University of Alabama, data from the National Highway Safety Administration was reviewed to determine how often distractions while driving occur.
Researchers found that 38.6% of drivers were females talking or texting on the phone.
External vehicle distractions, such as billboards, people, and signs, were more likely to distract males than females.
Before men and women drive on the road, they need to eliminate distractions. Taking your eyes off the road due to distractions will lower a person’s reaction time and cause fatal car crashes.
Consult With A Personal Injury Lawyer If You Have Been Injured In A Motor Vehicle Accident
Men are worse drivers, but driving data shows that female and male drivers risk injuries and death daily on our roads.
Careless driving habits put the lives of our passengers, other drivers, and pedestrians at risk.
Women drive more safely overall, but they also need to be more attentive and drive without distractions in the vehicle. Data shows that the percentage of women involved in risky driving behavior rises yearly.
Have you or any family members been involved in a severe motor vehicle accident caused by negligence? Our experienced personal injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers, LLC understand the factors involved in different types of car crashes.
We are dedicated to recovering damages lost and the compensation you and your family deserve. Contact our Chicago accident injury lawyers at (888) 424-5757 to schedule a free consultation.
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